The Atmospheric Radiative Transfer Simulator (ARTS) is a public domain
software for simulating how radiation in the microwave to infrared
spectral range travels through an atmosphere. The program can simulate
satellite observations, in cloudy and clear atmospheres, and can also
be used to calculate radiative energy fluxes. The main feature of this
release is a planetary toolbox that allows simulations for the
planets Venus, Mars, and Jupiter, in addition to Earth.

We present a self-consistent data set of carbon monoxide (CO) in the Arctic middle atmosphere above Kiruna, Sweden, between 2008 and 2015. The data are retrieved from measurements made by the ground-based radiometer, KIMRA, and are compared to coincident CO data measured by the satellite instrument MLS. KIMRA shows agreement with MLS over the altitude range in which KIMRA is sensitive (48–84 km) and the data show the signatures of dynamic processes such as sudden stratospheric warmings.

By computer simulations, we explore and quantify how to use radiation emitted by molecular oxygen in the Martian atmosphere to measure the magnetic field from the crust of the planet. This crustal magnetic field is important to understand the past evolution of Mars. Our method can measure the magnetic field at lower altitudes than has so far been done, which could give important information on the characteristics of the crustal sources if a mission with the required instrument is launched.

By modeling the Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder's mesospheric measurements, inversions methods can be applied to retreive mesospheric temperatures. We compare the fast forward model used by Met Office with reference simulations and find that there is a reasonable agreement between both models and measurements. Thus we recommend that the fast model is used in data assimilation to improve mesospheric temperature retrievals.

In this work we study the Zeeman effect on stratospheric O2 using ground-based microwave radiometer measurements. The interaction of the Earth magnetic field with the oxygen dipole leads to a splitting of O2 energy states which polarizes the emission spectra. A special campaign was carried out in order to measure for the first time the polarization state of the radiation due to the Zeeman effect in the main isotopologue of oxygen from ground-based microwave measurements.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) clouds have been frequently observed in the Martian middle atmosphere. There are still uncertainties concerning the formation of the clouds. Using an atmospheric model for Mars, including a gravity wave parameterization, we assess the role of gravity waves in cloud formation. Simulations suggest that gravity wave processes constitute a necessary physical mechanism for CO2 cloud formation in the Martian upper atmosphere during all seasons.

Time series of stratospheric and lower mesospheric water vapour using 33 data sets from 15 satellite instruments were compared in the framework of the second SPARC water vapour assessment. We find that most data sets can be considered in observational and modelling studies addressing, e.g. stratospheric and lower mesospheric water vapour variability and trends if data-set-specific characteristics (e.g. a drift) and restrictions (e.g. temporal and spatial coverage) are taken into account.

The Atmospheric Radiative Transfer Simulator (ARTS) is a public domain
software for simulating how radiation in the microwave to infrared
spectral range travels through an atmosphere. The program can simulate
satellite observations, in cloudy and clear atmospheres, and can also
be used to calculate radiative energy fluxes. The main feature of this
release is a planetary toolbox that allows simulations for the
planets Venus, Mars, and Jupiter, in addition to Earth.

Air pollution is one of the world's greatest environmental health risks. Ozone adversely affects human health and agricultural production, and the tropospheric ozone has been increasing globally over the past few decades. We report an advanced method to derive the ozone amount in the lowermost troposphere using multi-spectral measurements (UV, thermal infrared and microwave). Combining the MW measurement with the UV and thermal infrared measurements certainly increased the sensitivity.

As part of the second SPARC (Stratosphere–troposphere Processes And their Role in Climate) water vapor assessment (WAVAS-II), we present measurements taken from or coincident with seven sites from which ground-based microwave instruments measure water vapor in the middle atmosphere. In the lower mesosphere, we quantify instrumental differences in the observed trends and annual variations at six sites. We then present a range of observed trends in water vapor over the past 20 years.

We present a self-consistent data set of carbon monoxide (CO) in the Arctic middle atmosphere above Kiruna, Sweden, between 2008 and 2015. The data are retrieved from measurements made by the ground-based radiometer, KIMRA, and are compared to coincident CO data measured by the satellite instrument MLS. KIMRA shows agreement with MLS over the altitude range in which KIMRA is sensitive (48–84 km) and the data show the signatures of dynamic processes such as sudden stratospheric warmings.

By computer simulations, we explore and quantify how to use radiation emitted by molecular oxygen in the Martian atmosphere to measure the magnetic field from the crust of the planet. This crustal magnetic field is important to understand the past evolution of Mars. Our method can measure the magnetic field at lower altitudes than has so far been done, which could give important information on the characteristics of the crustal sources if a mission with the required instrument is launched.

By modeling the Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder's mesospheric measurements, inversions methods can be applied to retreive mesospheric temperatures. We compare the fast forward model used by Met Office with reference simulations and find that there is a reasonable agreement between both models and measurements. Thus we recommend that the fast model is used in data assimilation to improve mesospheric temperature retrievals.

In this work we study the Zeeman effect on stratospheric O2 using ground-based microwave radiometer measurements. The interaction of the Earth magnetic field with the oxygen dipole leads to a splitting of O2 energy states which polarizes the emission spectra. A special campaign was carried out in order to measure for the first time the polarization state of the radiation due to the Zeeman effect in the main isotopologue of oxygen from ground-based microwave measurements.

The manuscript describes novel findings in the diurnal variation of stratospheric ozone by means of the MACC reanalysis, the ERA-Interim reanalysis and the WACCM model. The diurnal variation in ozone has dynamical and photochemical origins which lead to substantial amplitudes especially in the polar, stratospheric regions. The unprecedented, global view on diurnal ozone variation strengthens the implication to correct diurnally sampled satellite observations used for ozone trend estimates.

The sub-millimetre wavelength region has been identified as very useful for measurements of cloud ice mass. The only satellite sensors operating in this wavelength region are so far limb sounders, and results from two such instruments are presented and sample applications are demonstrated. The results have high intrinsic value, but serve also as a practical preparation for planned dedicated sub-millimetre cloud missions.

The TARANIS spacecraft will be launched at the end of 2018. It is one of the first dedicated to the study of terrestrial gamma-ray flashes (TGF) and associated electrons (TEB), produced by thunderstorms. We present two of the six instruments on board the TARANIS spacecraft: a gamma-ray and energetic electron detector (XGRE) and an electron detector (IDEE). We compare them to other instruments that have already detected TGF and TEB, and use them to estimate the detection rate of TARANIS.

The new wind reconstruction algorithm developed in this article extends the amount of available sols from the Viking Lander 1 (VL1) mission from 350 to 2245. The reconstruction of wind measurement data enables the study of both short-term phenomena, such as daily variations in wind conditions or dust devils, and long-term phenomena, such as the seasonal variations in Martian tides.

Plasma waves are important observational targets for scientific missions investigating space plasma phenomena. Conventional plasma wave receivers have the disadvantages of a large size and a narrow dynamic range. We proposes a new receiver that overcomes the disadvantages of conventional receivers. The analog section of the new receiver was realized using application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) technology in order to reduce the size, and an ASIC chip was successfully developed.

Investigations of Mars – its atmosphere, surface and interior – require simultaneous, distributed in situ measurements. We have developed an innovative prototype of the Mars Network Lander (MNL), a small lander/penetrator with a 20 % payload mass fraction. MNL features an innovative Entry, Descent and Landing System to increase reliability and reduce the system mass. It is ideally suited for piggy-backing on spacecraft, for network missions and pathfinders for high-value landed missions.

We developed a prototype of the Neutral Gas and Ion Mass spectrometer (NIM) of the Particle Environment Package (PEP) for the JUICE mission of ESA. NIM will be used to measure the chemical composition of the exospheres of the icy Jovian moons. The NIM prototype was successfully tested under realistic conditions and we find that the closed source behaves as expected within the JUICE mission phase velocities. No additional fragmentation of the species recorded with the closed source is observed.

We present the high-frequency properties of the eight electric field sensors as proposed to be launched on the spacecraft “RESONANCE” in the near future. Due to the close proximity of the conducting spacecraft body, the sensors (antennas) have complex receiving features and need to be well understood for an optimal mission and spacecraft design. In particular techniques like wave polarization analysis and incident direction finding depend crucially on the presented antenna characteristics.

COSIMA, an advanced TOF-SIMS instrument measuring the mass spectrum of dust grains collected at comet P67 by the ROSETTA spacecraft, is predicted to encounter complex mixtures of minerals and organic compounds. To extract information from this data set, we have developed a multivariate technique tested on laboratory measurements made by an identical instrument under controlled conditions. We have shown that minerals can be identified and separated with high level of confidence.

We are planning a Mars mission. The mission will carry an instrument capable of measuring and mapping molecular oxygen and water in the Martian atmosphere, as well as the temperature, wind, and magnetic field. Water and oxygen are vital parts of the Martian atmospheric chemistry and must be better understood. Using computer simulation results, the paper gives a description of how the measurements will work, some problems we expect to encounter, and the sensitivity of the measurements.

We are planning a Mars mission. The mission will carry an instrument capable of measuring and...